Thursday, July 2:
Flew into Madison today – as we flew over the city I saw below me the majestic isthmus I’ve come to know so well. I noticed John Nolen Drive, the road that will lead me out and back in for the bike portion of Ironman.
My attention, of course, was drawn to the Monona Terrace: Ironman Headquarters. I looked at Lake Monona and sighed. Next time I fly in – I will have a date with you, Lake Monona…. (me and about 2200 others).
The weather is surprisingly cool – but completely understandable for Wisconsin. Last week they had a heat wave, in the 90’s with high humidity. This week it is overcast and cool, in the low 60’s. The only thing I ponder is if I brought enough layers!
I’ve been reading Cherie Gruenwald’s “Become an Ironman”. There are parts that I can see, feel, and taste the victory at the end of those agonizing 140.6 miles. She discusses the fruits of labor, the pains of training…at times my eyes welled up with tears understanding exactly what she meant. I can only imagine where I will be in 2.5 months! A bundle of nerves? A chaotic mess? Or fairly calm?
I will be sure to pick up my all-time favorite coffee: White Zombie from Ancora. Madison has its history with me: some good, some less than stellar. Some things will always fit like my favorite 17 year old sweatshirt (yes, I have a 17 year old sweatshirt and I wear it ALL THE TIME)….comfy, well-known, easy…. That is Madison. Well-known – like my sweatshirt. On the flip side, like my sweatshirt sometimes things just do not fit anymore – like Madison. I will always have warm thoughts of the city – but it does not fit me anymore. The city is too small, the sweatshirt is too big… does not mean I don’t love them both.
Friday, July 3
Temps 70’s – overcast skies.
Mileage: 43. Time: 3:10
average mph: 13.58
Friday was the first time I rode the course this year. Big Bro drove the course with me the night before – to get me reacquainted with the twists, turns, hills. After Wes was done with work around noon we took off and made our way to the course.
I could tell this would be a trying day. My stomach was not cooperating all week. I think stress is playing havoc on my GI system and Friday was no different. Ugh. Well, my lesson learned this day was how to operate when the GI system is not agreeing with you.
I found all the electrolytes and liquids made me feel better – so that was actually a plus at the end of the day.
The course – it was nice to be back on it. The countryside is lush and green – farms, parks, quiet homesteads in the country. The hills were what I remembered – rolling with little recovery time. I noticed I did much better this time around than when I did it last year. I was quite proud of my progress!
The hill that still gets me is not the infamous long winding hill after Stagecoach and Birch – or the well known “Bitch Hill”…. it’s actually this other hill the climbs after a quick turn. It’s not that awful actually – I think because it’s a little steeper than the usual hills… and it’s after some tougher hills, maybe that is why it’s my least favorite. Ugh.
However, after Friday was over we evaluated where I was. Considering I wasn’t feeling well and it was the first day out – not terrible. I am still cutting it very close time-wise and there is little time left for bottle refills, porta potty stops, or heaven forbid – a bike maintenance blow out.
My bike computer stopped working right after we started the ride – and it was frustrating because I like watching the miles tick off. Ugh. I had no idea how my mph was going…so after we were through we stopped at Machinery Row Bicycles and added a new computer to my bike. Nice!
Saturday, July 4: Independence Day!
Temps: cooler – lower 70’s / high 60’s. Overcast. Rain.
Mileage: 43. Time: 2:55 (15 minutes faster than previous day)
Average mph: 14.74
Saturday was my “two loop” day. We were to take it easy Friday so we could double the loops Saturday and simulate an actual race day. However, after doing the loop the prior day my legs were tired and I just did not have what it took to do two loops back to back.
We started on our way and it was cool, overcast – it was sprinkling at the beginning. Then it turned to rain. I realized this was a learning experience – how to deal with rain and the weather. Good training experience!
We took to the hills and I could tell I was pushing a little bit harder. I also noticed my fear of descents eased up. I rarely hit the brakes going down – only when I hit these two particular corners where there is a sharp 90 degree turn at the end of a hill.
So – my fear of speed definitely decreased. My high speed was 36.8 mph. This may not sound like much – but to those who know me, this is a BIG deal. I felt great – being able to fly down hills without being scared. I think the fear disappeared since these hills are down straight-aways versus switchbacks and canyons. Regardless – I found one fear is not as bad as I thought – I am not afraid of all downhills.
I pushed myself up the 3 toughest hills – and at the end of the ride felt good knowing I had 15 minute on yesterday. YAY!
Sunday, July 5
Temps: warmer! High 80’s – computer guage states 91-93 degrees. Sunshine and heat. Humidity off the lush vegetation, fields.
Mileage: 43. Time: 3:10
Mph: 13.58
Sunday was a tough day. I don’t think any of us wanted to hit the route – we were a bit tired from the previous days’ mileage. We even slept in a little longer than usual – which actually became helpful not only for extra rest but put us out on the course in the mid-day sun and heat. This was a good training tool to see what it could be like in high heat (as in the past 2 years at Ironman WI).
We started out on the course and we all decided that this day would be a slow course – strictly taking it easy and memorizing the course. I took that to heart – I let gravity pull me down the hills as I rested (I did not pedal downhill as I did the previous days) and I would occasionally take the flats at a mellow pace.
I feel I have a good feel on the course – I know where I need to get down into the drops to have more control of the brakes. I know where I can let myself feel the speed as I let go on the downs – versus the more treacherous, technical turns with a 90 degree turn at the blind bottom.
Sunday was a tiring day – my mental gas was gone. The engine was empty. I just could not see doing another loop! There was no motivation left in me. How would I do it on race day?? HOW ON EARTH WILL I ACCOMPLISH THIS??
My mental training needs a little refresher course – especially for those particular moments. I cannot give up on myself or the goal at hand and I did let my exhaustion get the better of me.
My times are still well within the realm of finishing – but NOT BY MUCH. There is very little room for refills, bike maintenance, food. Ugh.









